Print Report
CEGL002289 Ozark Igneous Moist Cliff Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ozark Igneous Moist Cliff Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Ozark Moist Igneous Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This moist igneous cliff type is restricted to parts of the Ozarks in the south-central United States. Stands are found on extremely steep to vertical rock exposures, often occurring in a series of irregular rock terraces and ledges, with a northern or eastern aspect. The igneous parent material includes rhyolite, felsite, dellenite or granite. Soils are generally absent, except on ledges and rock terraces. These cliffs are rapidly drained, but are kept moist or wet for significant periods because of seepage, dense shading, or thick mats of mosses and lichens. Trees, when present, are scattered and short (8-20 m). Pinus echinata may be present, along with a variety of Quercus spp. Herbaceous cover is sparse (<20%), consisting of spring ephemerals and ferns. These include Arisaema triphyllum, Arabis missouriensis, Asplenium trichomanes, Dryopteris goldieana, Dryopteris marginalis, Mitchella repens, Mitella diphylla, and Chasmanthium latifolium. A nonvascular layer of mosses and lichens is usually present, including Polytrichum spp. and Thuidium spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Description and type concept are from Nelson (1985). The northern igneous (granite/metamorphic) cliffs are separated from Ozark igneous cliff as ~Granite - Metamorphic Great Lakes Shore Cliff Sparse Vegetation (CEGL005244)$$. In Missouri, Tim Nigh (pers. comm. 1996) suggested the following descriptive name for this type: "Mitella diphylla - Mitchella repens - Dryopteris goldieana Igneous Cliff."
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Trees, when present, are scattered and short (8-20 m). Pinus echinata may be present, along with a variety of Quercus spp. Herbaceous cover is sparse (<20%), consisting of spring ephemerals and ferns. These include Arisaema triphyllum (= Arisaema atrorubens), Arabis missouriensis, Asplenium trichomanes, Dryopteris goldieana, Dryopteris marginalis, Mitchella repens, Mitella diphylla, and Chasmanthium latifolium (= Uniola latifolia). A nonvascular layer of mosses and lichens is usually present, including Polytrichum spp. and Thuidium spp. (Nelson 1985).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found on extremely steep to vertical rock exposures, often occurring in a series of irregular rock terraces and ledges, with a north or east aspect. The igneous parent material includes rhyolite, felsite, dellenite or granite. Soils are generally absent, except on ledges and rock terraces. These cliffs are rapidly drained, but are kept moist or wet for significant periods because of seepage, dense shading, or thick mats of mosses and lichens (Nelson 1985).
Geographic Range: This moist igneous cliff type is restricted to parts of the Ozarks in the south-central United States, particularly Missouri and Kansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KS?, MO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687949
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4Q
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.d Central Midwest-Interior Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G841 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A3995 Ozark Acidic Cliff Alliance | A3995 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002289 Ozark Igneous Moist Cliff Vegetation | CEGL002289 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Igneous Ozark Moist Cliff Sparse Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Moist Igneous Cliff (Nelson 1985)
= Moist Igneous Cliff (Nelson 1985)
- Chastain, R. A., M.A. Struckhoff, K. W. Grabner, E. D. Stroh, H. He, D. R. Larsen, T. A. Nigh, and J. Drake. 2006. Mapping vegetation communities in Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Final technical report to the National Park Service. Open-File Report 2006-1354. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA. 90 pp. plus appendices.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.